Tires and Abraham...

Yesterday, a man decided to visit his parents in Glendora. So he drove from Atascadero, which is about a 4 hour drive. He parked across the street from his parents house, and the mischievous kids who lived across the street slashed all four of his tires. By the time he noticed, it was 7pm...he had the car towed to Wal-Mart's Tire and Lube Express, as it was the only place open at that time of night.

I know you are wondering where on earth this is going: TRUST ME! I have a point! :)

I spent all afternoon at my new apartment yesterday, unpacking some stuff, etc. I got into my car to go to see some good friends play at a local coffee shop...and it wouldn't turn over.

Now, I have my "Certificate of Proficiency in Auto Repair", and I knew that it had to do with the battery...the lights were still coming on when I turned the key, so I knew it wasn't dead...called Dad, he said to call AAA ("Triple A")...they came, jumped the battery, and said that I needed a new one. The guy said "Better get to Wal-Mart before 8pm!"

It was 7:58pm.

I started praying. I knew that there was no way that I would be able to get there before 8:10 or 8:15pm. I felt a peace, though, and knew that God would take care of me somehow!

I drove up, and it was 8:10pm. I left the car running, and ran over to talk to the associate who was nearest me. I explained my situation, and asked if there was any way that they would replace my battery, even though they were closing. He asked the service manager, and he agreed.

Why did he agree?

Because they were in the middle of replacing four tires.

If that poor man hadn't have had to get his tires replaced, and if it hadn't taken so long, I would have been stranded in Orange County this morning, with a car that wouldn't start.

This morning I decided to read the story of Abraham and Isaac again...and I realized just how much faith Abraham had! He trusted that the Lord knew what was best, and that the Lord would take care of him somehow...he was willing to sacrifice his beloved son to follow the Lord's commands...

WOW!

And the Lord provided...at just the right moment, He provided a ram, and explained to Abraham that He had merely tested his faith and his heart. Abe passed the test.

As I daily work on surrendering my life unto the Lord's will, this is a prime example of how when I don't worry about things, He provides. He takes care of me. He will not ever leave me! Though a car battery is a trivial matter, it once again affirms in my mind just how much God cares about the little things in our lives...every detail...every hair on our head...

And yet I am so reluctant to give ALL of my life over to Him! Why? That's what I'm trying to figure out, and trying to 'get over.'

This morning I read a quote from Oswald Chambers...

"Tell God you are ready to be offered,
and God will prove Himself to be all
you ever dreamed He would be."

That quote leaves me with lots to ponder, and many more things to work on...am I truly ready to be "offered"? Hmmm....